Unbeaten BARBARO (Dynaformer) is the 8-5 favorite on the morning line in
Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) and has drawn post 10 for his second dirt
attempt. After opening his career with three straight turf wins, including
triumphs in the Tropical Park Derby (G3) and Laurel Futurity, the Michael Matz-trained
colt switched to the main track and captured the Holy Bull S. (G3) by
three-quarters of a length over a sloppy track on February 4. Matz decided to bypass the Fountain of
Youth S. (G2) in March and plans to send Barbaro straight to the May 6 Kentucky
Derby (G1) after the Florida Derby.
Barbaro has been impressive in each of his victories, but he’s never raced on
a fast track. No rain is expected on Friday or Saturday, so the 1 1/8-mile
Florida Derby will be very important for the talented three-year-old. He’ll have to overcome his outside post in the 11-horse field because it is a short
run to the first turn at Gulfstream Park.
Fountain of Youth runner-up FLASHY BULL (Holy Bull) is among the top
challengers. Still a maiden winner, Flashy Bull has raced exclusively in stakes
company since earning his lone victory in late October, recording a good second
to Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat) in last year’s Remsen S. (G2) before finishing a
close fourth to Barbaro in his seasonal debut. His Fountain of Youth effort was
a career best so far, and the Kiaran McLaughlin charge has been stuck in outside
posts in his last two starts at Gulfstream. He’s much more favorably drawn in
gate 2 for the Florida Derby and will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano.
SHARP HUMOR (Distorted Humor) will try two turns for the first time off a
game score in the Swale S. (G2). A winner in his last three starts, the Dale
Romans pupil made his seasonal debut in the seven-furlong Swale and is eligible
to keep improving on Saturday. He’ll likely show speed with jockey Mark Guidry
from post 7. Trainer Todd Pletcher has a pair of uncoupled entrants in SUNRIVER
(Saint Ballado) and SAINT AUGUSTUS (Saint Ballado). The former is a full brother
to champion Ashado and exits a commendable allowance victory locally at the
distance. The latter captured December’s What a Pleasure S. at Calder and also
exits a nice allowance win over the track at nine furlongs.
The complete field, from the rail with riders and morning-line odds, is
HESANOLDSALT (Broad Brush), Eddie Castro, 20-1; Flashy Bull, 4-1; Saint
Augustus, Chris DeCarlo, 12-1; DOC CHENEY (Saint Ballado), Jeremy Rose, 12-1;
Sunriver, John Velazquez, 6-1; REHOBOTH (Wagon Limit), Javier Castellano, 20-1;
Sharp Humor, 5-1; HIGH BLUES (High Yield), Cornelio Velasquez, 10-1; CHARMING
IMAGE (Halo’s Image), Rajiv Maragh, 20-1; Barbarao; and SAM’S ACE (In Excess
[Ire]), Felipe Martinez, 20-1.